Data center fights pit social values, democracy and capitalism against each other

Data center proposals are often local controversies with significant underlying principles at stake.

By: Lauren Mullenbach, University of Michigan, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: July 1, 2026

Words: 1,204

Last Updated: 3 weeks ago

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By Lauren Mullenbach, University of Michigan

Data center projects continue to generate controversy around the country. In part, that’s because a variety of different groups have competing interests – some in favor of them, some opposed and others with no direct view on data centers themselves, but with concerns that relate to aspects of data center operations and effects.

As a scholar of environmental justice and urban land use, I’ve seen these various conflicting forces …

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